By Noemi Ramirez/Staff Writer
Potholes are deep, natural underground cavities formed by the erosion of rock, especially through water. Generally, when holes in pavement exceed 2 inches in depth and more than 8 inches in diameter, they become candidates for repair.
Across the country, potholes are to blame for about 33,000 traffic fatalities each year, and one-third involve poor road conditions.
The parking lot and pick up section at Indian Trail High School and Academy has potholes that are 62 inches wide and 1 to 3 inches deep, qualifying it for repair.
Fortunately, the district has started to make these badly needed repairs. Kenosha Unified School District this spring allocated $200,000 to repave portions of the city bus area, parent drop off and south loop.
According to YourMechanic.com, American drivers pay about $3 billion, or an average cost of $300 each, annually to fix car damage caused by potholes. These costs mostly have to do with fixing the cars wheels, suspension, exhaust, and body.
Potholes are not only dangerous for students who own cars, but for students who walk and must travel through these areas where traffic mostly happens, which is the parking lot and parent drop off area.
Potholes and other road damage can lead to cars swerving and hitting pedestrians accidentally. In 2011, experienced cyclist Martyn Uzzell, 51, was killed in North Yorkshire during a cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats, when he went over a four-inch-deep pothole that had been inspected and ignored by the local council only a month before.
Potholes are also dangerous for those who walk or ride bikes to school. Waiting to fix the problem isn’t smart financially. Failure to spend $1 in road repair typically results in $7 of cost five years later. KUSD has provided the money, and the process of repairing the parking lot is extensive, so let’s all hope work begins soon because as time passes, the probability of an accident happening increases.